The product in detail
Encina: holm oak charcoal from the dehesa.
Single species from 100% Quercus ilex, traditionally carbonised, lab-tested – the European answer to quebracho and marabú.
Encina is the Spanish name for the holm oak (Quercus ilex) – an evergreen, extremely hard and dense oak from Spain's dry south. Our charcoal is single species: 100% holm oak, no blends. The result is the character encina is known for in Spanish gastronomy – long, stable embers, hardly any sparks, neutral smoke.
The wood comes from the dehesa, a centuries-old cultivated landscape of open oak stands and pasture. It is harvested through regular pruning – maintenance wood, not clearing. Carbonisation is traditional, in kilns over 7 to 10 days, followed by screening: XL lump grade from 35 mm.
| Parameter | Result | DIN EN 1860-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed carbon | 80.15% | min. 75% |
| Ash | 5.89% | max. 8% |
| Moisture | 4.86% | max. 8% |
| Sulphur | 0.00% | – |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 0.06 mg/kg | – |
The lab figures meet all DIN EN 1860-2 requirements with clear margin. Original lab report on request; compact version in the data sheet (PDF). Certifications: REACH registered · ISO 9001 · FSC · EUDR compliant.
| Encina | Quebracho | Marabú | Buche | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Southern Spain (EU) | South America | Cuba | Central Europe |
| Transport | Truck, 5–10 days | Sea freight, weeks | Sea freight, weeks | Truck |
| EUDR effort | EU origin; DDS with reference numbers supplied from 2027 | Third-country diligence across long chains | Third-country diligence across long chains | EU origin |
| Character | dense hardwood; 80.15% fixed carbon lab-confirmed, long stable embers | very dense hardwood, long embers | dense bush wood, long embers | lighter wood, shorter ember time |
| Price exposure | EUR sourcing, short route | Sea-freight and dollar risk | Sea-freight and dollar risk | EUR sourcing |
A fair note: the entries for quebracho, marabú and beech reflect general variety characteristics – we only quote hard lab numbers for our own product.
In short: encina plays in the ember league of the dense overseas woods, but arrives by truck from inside the EU – short lead time, no sea-freight exposure, and the EUDR question solved. For packaging and terms: wholesale; for kitchen use: restaurant charcoal.
Judge it by the material.
A sample bag and the data sheet come to you, the lab report on request as the original – before you order the first load.